Framed hammock.



I. E. PALMER.

- FRAMED HAMMOGK.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JAN. 21, 1909.

Patented D60. 27, 1910.

I. E. PALMER.V

FRAMED HAMMOOK. ArPLIoATIoN rILn'D JAN. 21.11909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

50 used, must sa ISAAC E.v PALMER,

CO., F MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT, A

OF JllIID'DIJlTOWN,` CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 THE I. E. PALMER CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

rami/[En HAMMooK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

f Application mea January ai, 1909. seriai'n. 473,457.

To all 'whom it ma/y concern.:

Be it known that I, ISAAC E. PALMER, a citizen'of the United States, and a residentof Middletown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Framed Hammocks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings l lrepresenting like4 parts.

This invention relates to framed hammocks and more particularly to that type of framed hammock intended for use as a suspension couch.

In order that the principlesof my invention may be readilyunderstood, I have disclosed an embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a'framed couch` hammock embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the framed hammock shown inv Figl 1; Fig. 3 is'a view similar to Fig. 2, but representing a slightly modified construction; Fig. 4

lis a lvlew similar to Fig. 3, but representing in Fig. 5.

This invention relates more particularly -to that type of framed hammock wherein a frame comprising longitudinal and transverse end members is supported upon the upper surface of the body of the hammock.

In accordance with my invention, the frame is' of skeleton formation and is preferably provided with a suitable seating, preferably flexible 'andopreferably composed either of 40 vwire links and springsor cords. Were the frame with its seating merely super osedupon the upper face of the hammock ody, itis ap arent that when a mattress is placed upon t e frame, either the mattress must become depressed or sagged out of a horizontal plane before it contacts with the seating, or that the seating Vmust sag before it contacts with the upper face of the hammock body. In either event, the mattress, if it be ,before it can receive the support both o the seating and of the hammock body. f

In accordance with one feature' of my invention, .I s superpose the upon the seating so that if a mattress be used, it is directly received upon the hammock body. `Moreover the hammock body may thus be supported at substantially the level of the upper face of. tbe frame and so support the mattress in such position. This result is accomplished in the present embodiment of my invention by piercing the hammock bod at one or more points for the passage o aportion'or portionsof the seating, so that although the hammock body passes below the side and end members of the frame, it passes above and `is supported upon the seating. Moreover in this manner, if a mattress be used, it is protected from 'the wear of the seating and' an additional covering is provided for the seating, thus providing for the use of a thinner mattress.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the hammock body is represented at 1, and in this embodiment of my invention is provided with suspension end portions preferably provided with transverse ockets or hems, whereinl are secured'sprea ers. Any suitable suspensionv means or suspension end portions may be provided and which may be integral or not with the body portion as desired. Clue cords 2 are passed through the ockets and spreaders and are preferably individuallyconnected to e es 3, which may be suspended in any suita `le manner.

Thevlateral dimensions of the hammock body are preferably such as to provide flaps 4 ywhich may be secured in an upstanding position, as indicated, b 4 means of lacing 5 or in any other suitab e manner. If desired, however, such upstanding sides may be omitted.

f The hammock frame is herein represented as composed of longitudinal or side members 6 and transverse end members 7 connected together in any suitable manner, the frame referably being fiat when positioned in the ammock. It is a parent, however, that the frame may be' o any suitable form and construction. Preferably and more particularly when a mattress is used, I provide cornerguards `or mattress positioning members 8 which are preferably removably secured to the corners of theframe in such manner as readily t'o permit'their detachment from the frame andv the inversion of hammock body I Patented Dee. 27, '1910,

cov

the frame if the latter becomes sprung or bent in use and the subsequent application of said guards to the then upper side of the frame. Preferably a mattress 9 is supported upon the frame, it being in this embodiment. of the invention protected at the corners by the guards 8 wh1ch also serve as n'leans against which the sides or corners of the hammock body may be tightened or fitted, as disclosed in my Patent No. 944,814.

The frame herein illustrated is of skeleton formation and is provided with a flexible seating which may be of any suitable type, but preferably either wire llnks or cords, both types of seating being herein illustrated. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable flexible seating may be employed.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I have represented a flexible seating composed of longitudinally and transversely arranged links 10 hooked at their ends into perforated plates or eyes 11. Said seating is connected in any suitable manner at its ends to the frame, but preferably by any suitable number of coiled springs 12 which may be directly connected to the end members of the frame or other-- wise. In Figs. land 2, I have represented said coiled springs 12 as connected at their outer ends to cross bars 13 mounted in the side members of the frame, said cross bars being preferably metallic and of sufficient diameter to sustain the end strain to which the seating is subjected in use. If desired, the cross bars maybe braced intermediate their ends, as for example by eyes 14 screwed into the end members 7 and receiving the said cross bars.

Preferably the seating is laterally connected to the longitudinal members 6-6 of the frame in a yielding manner. I sometimes desire yieldingly to secure the lateral edges of the seating close to the said longitudinal members.l One manner of accomplishing this result is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, Where springs 15 are arranged in pairs and are inclined as slightly as possible, being connected at their outer ends t0 the screweyes 16 and at their inner ends to a perforated plate 17. It will be observed, viewing Fig. 2, that the distance between the lateral edge of the seating and the inner edge of the adjacent longitudinal member of the frame closely' approximates or but slightly exceeds that of the diameter of the coiled springs15.4 In this manner, the edge of the seating is brought close to the inner edge of the longitudinal members of the frame, but at the same time Vis yieldingly supported at these points. The result may be accomplished otherwise, as by providing preferably inclined springs connected to the inner edges of the longitudinal members at one end and to certain of the inner longitudinal rows of the plates 17. In such case the springs may be arranged in pairs after the manner indicated in Fig. 3, or they may be suitably spaced and each connected to a separate plate 17 and inclinedtoward each other if desired.

In order that the body of the hammock may overlie the seating, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figs.4 l, 2 and 3, the hammock body is longitudinally slitted at opposite edges, as indicated at 1S, for the passage of the cross rods 13, and is also longitudinally7 slitted as indicated at 19 for the passage of the lateral supports or springs 15. If the intermediate braces 1-1 are employed, the hammock body is perforated for their reception. It will thus be apparent that the hammock body is directly received upon the seating and that it passes over the cross rods 18 and thence down under the end member 7 of the frame and thence up to the point of support. Likewise the lateral edges of the hammock body -pass under the longitudinal members 6 of the frame and thence upwardly if the upsta'nding edges et be provided. The rods 413 serve another and important function. It will be observedv that they pass through relatively short longitudinal slots 1S in the hammock body, and in use, the longitudinal tension to which the body is subjected from the suspension ends 1, draws the inner ends of said slots against said rods, and thus the longitudinal movement of the hammock body with respect to the frame is limited. Said rods in conjunction with said slots serve as stop devices preventing free longitudinal movement of the hammock body with respect to the frame under end tension.

While the hammock body may be supported upon the seating at substantially` the level of the upper face of the frame, it is preferably arranged to permit the supporting of the hammock body `equidistant from the upper face of the frame, whichever face ofthe latter be uppermost, and preferably close thereto. That is, I contemplate reversing the frame, if it becomes bent in use, in which event the seating and the frame 'are disengaged and the latter inverted. The

cross bars hereinafter referred to may, howrectly connecting the seating to said end members, the hammock body being longitudinally slitted as represented at 20 for. the passage of each spring. It isapparent, however, that if endsprings be lnot employed, the seating may be connected in any suitable manner to the frame.`

In Figi 5, I have represented the seating composed of cords 21 which are laced back and forth between suitable hooks or eyes 22 secured to the longitudinal members 6 of the frame. In such construction, the hammock body is` perforated adjacent the inner edges of the longitudinal members 6 for the passage of the cord or cords 21. If desired, the cords 2l may be continued to substantially the ends of the frame, but preferably they f. terminate somewhat short thereof, as indicated in Fig. 5, and cross bars 24 are pro- 15 i vided over which the hammock body passes and thence under the longitudinal members i "7 of the frame.

In that forni of the invention wherein t-lie cross bars are not directly connected to the seating, preferably the said bars are provided With loosely mounted sleeves 25 which are-free to rotate under longitudinal strain upon the hammock body. Preferably said cross bars are metallic.

It will be observed that the seating is exposed from beneath, so that ready access is aforded theretok for adjustment or otherwise from beneath without separating the frame and the hammock cloth and without removing the mattress overlying the seating. This is true whether or not the hammock body be extended as described to overlie all or a portion of the seating. It is desirable in this connection to employ upstanding sides 4 and detachably or adjustably to connect the ends thereof to the suspension ends at the corners of thc frame, as by lacing. In this manner, the sides can be drawn taut and sagging is prevented, While at the same time a better appearance at the corners is pre-4 sented. l

It will be apparent from the foregoing dei scription that the frame embodying my inventionlis of simple construction and is 1nexpensive and that as the hammock body overlies the seating it is thereby positioned and supported at substantially the upper face of the hammock frame` or above the lower face thereof'. Thus, if a mattress be employed, the latter is directly received upon the hammock body and may be supported thereby substantially flat. l\'loreover, the

mattress is thoroughly protected from they bers thereof, and engaging short longitudinal slits in the hammock body, limit the free longitudinal movement'. of the hammockr body owing to end tension thereon in use. That is to say, I provide stop devices of suit- -able character preventing undue longitudinal movement of the hammock body relative to the 'frame when the hammock is suspended and in use. 4

Having thus described one illustrative cinbodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that although specific terms ai'e employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being setforth in the following claims. Y 1

a. 1. A framed hammock comprising in combination -a hammock body having suspension means, a frame comprising longitudinal and end members, all of said members being received and supported upon-the up`-j per surface of said body, and ai seating se;

said frame, said ,seatingl underlying cured to a portion of the hammock body.

2. A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having upstandling sides and suspension means, a frame' liav` ing longitudinal and end members, all of said members being received and supported upon the upper surface of said body anda.

seating secured to said frame, said seating underlying a portion of the hammock body.

3. A 'framed hammock comprising` in coinbination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame supported upon the upper surface of said body and a seating seein-ed to said frame, said body being pierced for the passage of portions of said seating.

4. A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame supported upon the upper surface of said body, and a seating secured to said frame, said seating penetrating said hammock body so as to permit the positioning of the hammock bodyabove ythe said seating.

A framed hammock comprising in combina-tion a 4hammock body having suspension means, a frame composed of longitudinal and transverse members all received-and supported upon the uppersurface of said body, and a flexible seating secured to said frame and underlying the hammock body and supporting the said body vat substantially the upper face of the said frame.

6. A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame composed of longitudinal and transverse members supported upon the upper surface of said body,`and a flexible seating secured to the inner edges of said members and underlying the hammock body, and supporting the same'at substantially the. upper face of the frame,

7. A framed hammock comprising in com bination a hammock body having suspensionend members, to the'p'oints of suspension.

8. A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame applied to -said body and having longitudinal and transverse end members, and a seating having spring connections to said longitudinal members and end supporting means, the hammock body overlying `said seating and slitted for the passage of said spring connections. l

9. A framed hammock comprisingin combination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame having longitudinal and transverse end members all applied to and resting upon the upper face of said body,I

and a frame seating having end spring -supports, la portion of the hammock body overlying said seating. i

10. A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having suspension means, a frame having longitudinal and transverse end members supported upon the upper face of said body, anda seating having spring connections to said longitudinal members and end supporting sprmgs, the hammock body overlying said seating and slitted for the passage of the side spring connections and for the end supports.

11. A framed hammock comprising in combination ar hammock body having suspension means, a frame having longitudinal and transverse end members, a seating having side spring connections to said longitudinal members, cross bars supported by said longitudinal Ymembers between and adjacent said end members, and supporting springs connecting said cross bars and seating, said body overlying said seating and slitted for the passage of the side spring connections and the cross bars.

12'. 'A framed hammock comprising in combination a hammock body having suspension means and a skeleton frame comprising longitudinal and transverse, end members, a seating having end connections with said frame and coiled springs arranged in pairs and connected at their ends to the .sides of said-seating` and to the longitudinal members of the frame, said 'coiled springs being longitudinally arranged and slightly inclined and supporting the sides, of the seating at a distance from the longitudinal members closelycapproximating that of the diameterof lsaid springs, the said hammock body overlying said seating and slitted for sion means, a frame having longitudinal andy transverse end members, said frame being supported upon said body port-ion and provided with body guiding cross bars between the end members.

15. A framed hammock comprising in combination a `hammock body portion, suspension means, a frame having longitudinal and endmembers received upon the upper face of said body portion and a seating secured to said frame, said seating underlying a portion of the hammock body portion.

16. Acouch hammock comprising in combination a 'continuous hammock body having suspension means at its ends, a frame comprising longitudinal andend members, all of said members bein received and supported upon the upper sur ace of the said body, one of said parts, which parts consist of the continuous hammock body and the frame, having between the ends of the frame near each end, stop devices engaging the other of said parts, and thereby when the hammock is in use, preventing free longitudinal movement of the hammock body with respect to t-he Aframe.

17'. A couch hammock comprising in comsuspension ends, a frame comprising longitudinal and end members, all of said memb'ers being received and supported upon the upper surface of the hammock body, one of said parts, which parts consist of the continuous hammock body and the frame, having between the outer edges of the end members and the inner edges of said longitudinal members, tension limiting devices engaging the other of said parts, and thereby, when the hammock is in use, preventing free longitudinal movement of the portlon of the hammock body that lies between the longitudinal members of the frame.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciiication, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- ISAAC E. PALMER. Witnesses:

FRED. E. FOWLER, CHAS. M. LAUER. 

